Cold sweat beaded on Gongsun Ming's forehead, his pupils trembling with fear.
This speed was beyond comprehension! He could never have achieved such a feat himself!
How could this man be so powerful? Gongsun Ming's heart raced with terror. He bitterly regretted his earlier declaration about confronting Qin Yang every time they met—now those words hung in the air like a cruel joke.
The elders wore equally grim expressions, as if they'd swallowed flies. They'd been predicting who would rank high in the Northern Hunter Rankings, only for an unknown outsider to appear and reduce one of the Eight Clans' members to speechless terror.
"Sect Leader! Qin Yang has killed Zhou Shi and Elder Zhou of the Outer Sect!" a disciple shouted.
The Sect Leader, an elderly man, paled at the news. "Qin Yang, we treated you well in the Thousand Hidden Sect. You injured Inner Sect disciples, stole the Face-Preserving Pill formula, and now return to slaughter within our gates. What madness drives you?"
"It's merely a second-grade premium Face-Preserving Pill formula," Qin Yang sneered. "Why do you cling to me like a rabid dog?"
"You insolent brat! Cease your excuses!" Elder Zhang, who had been fawning over young talents with a fruit platter moments before, stepped forward at the sight of Qin Yang. "I let you escape last time, but today you'll answer to me!"
"Your confidence has grown quite quickly in these few days," Qin Yang said gravely. "Where is Meng Gaofei?"
"You should be more concerned about yourself!" Elder Zhang sneered, drawing a long whip.
"Huh? Isn't that Gongsun Ming's Profound-grade artifact, the Demon-Trapping Rope? How did it end up in the hands of someone from a minor sect?"
"This kid's finished. He'll probably be taken down in one move!"
The crowd buzzed with speculation, while the Sect Leader of Thousand Hidden Sect chuckled. Capture Qin Yang, and the formula for the second-tier Face-Preserving Pill would be theirs.
With that formula, he could finally gain the favor of these influential figures...
A Profound-grade artifact? Qin Yang's heart tightened. The highest-grade magical item he'd ever encountered was a Yellow-grade pill furnace used for alchemy...
Daring not to underestimate his opponent, Qin Yang channeled his true energy. In the Qi Sea Realm, his true energy surged like a raging sea, his fist strikes crackling with lightning power.
Qin Yang's movements blurred into motion, leaving Elder Zhang utterly bewildered. The Demon-Trapping Rope proved useless against a target he couldn't even locate.
He'll have to attack eventually. If I... Elder Zhang forced himself to remain calm, finally seizing an opening when Qin Yang appeared behind him. With a whip-like motion, he sent the Demon-Trapping Rope hurtling toward his target.
It's empty!
There was no time to retract. Elder Zhang felt a sudden pain in his back as the tremendous force shattered his heart vein, leading to his immediate demise.
"Hm? It's over?" Qin Yang blinked in surprise. Was this all from that terrifying Profound-grade magical treasure that had nearly scared him to death?
In the Qi Sea Realm, spiritual energy had not yet transformed into divine energy, making external projection impossible. While Profound-grade magical treasures were powerful, locking-type artifacts like the Demon-Trapping Rope relied entirely on the user's skill.
"That brat... actually killed a Qi Sea Realm cultivator in an instant?"
"There's no one among the younger generation who can match him!"
"Where did he come from?"
Everyone racked their brains, but found no information about Qin Yang whatsoever.
The Sect Leader was utterly dumbfounded. In mere moments, Qin Yang had slaughtered through the sect's ranks right before their honored guests - how could he possibly maintain his dignity now?
"You wretch! Die!" The Sect Leader roared furiously, slamming his fist forward.
Overwhelming pressure immobilized Qin Yang, slowing his movements to a crawl.
A true qi fist materialized out of thin air, descending upon him like a hammer crushing an ant.
Copy: Hundred Rivers Art. Host's realm exceeds technique's level. Host's realm not upgraded. Technique 2/10.
Copy: Martial Technique - Ground-Shaking Fist. Automatically upgraded to peak mastery. Martial Techniques: 2/10.
"This old man actually cultivates Earth-Grade techniques and martial arts?" Qin Yang frowned. Inner Sect elders didn't even possess access to Profound-Grade methods...
Beyond the Zongshi Realm, each step represented a heaven-defying leap. The gap between major cultivation realms was qualitative, not quantitative.
Transcending these boundaries in combat was impossible. While an adult might lose to a youth, could they truly fail against an infant?
Gritting his teeth, Qin Yang channeled his true energy. Having replicated his opponent's techniques, he now understood their flaws. Both the Hundred Rivers Art and Ground-Shaking Fist possessed tremendous power, but shared a critical weakness - once committed, they left no room for retreat, utterly inflexible.
His figure exploded backward, leaving behind a crater several meters deep. Shattered debris scattered, striking bystanders and drawing pained cries.
"To reach the Zongshi Realm at this age... and only its initial stage. His martial technique proficiency barely scratches the surface. He can't unleash full power while wasting energy..." Qin Yang's gaze locked onto the Sect Leader, his face devoid of fear.
"That boy... isn't fleeing?"
"Does he really think he can challenge a Zongshi Realm expert?"
"What a pity. He's a promising talent. If only Martial Heaven were here..."
Gongsun Ming cast a deep look at Qin Yang. This young man's strength posed an immense threat to him! It wasn't just him - all the young people present felt overwhelming pressure.
Gongsun Ming called out, "This is an internal matter of the Thousand Hidden Sect. We're all from prestigious sects and shouldn't interfere. Besides, this brat has a vile nature. Even if Teacher Wu were here, he'd probably kill him on the spot to eliminate a great menace!"
The elders exchanged meaningful glances. If this boy didn't die, how could their own geniuses ever stand out? They might compete with other youths, but how could they possibly match up to this abomination?
"Quickly surrender or I'll smash you into dust, leaving no whole body behind!" the Sect Leader threatened.
The corner of Qin Yang's mouth twitched upward. "The master is crooked, so the disciple must be twisted. Surrender? You really think you can kill me?"
The Sect Leader's eyes bulged. This brat's confidence was outrageous!
"I held back earlier, just to intimidate you. Since you're so ungrateful, don't blame me for showing no mercy!" The Sect Leader's fist shot forward again.
A true qi-powered fist shadow shot toward Qin Yang.
Qin Yang channeled his entire body's true qi, darting in a single direction. The fist shadow brushed past his clothing, tearing through the fabric with a whoosh that left the audience breathless.
"Hm?" The Sect Leader's brow furrowed. How was this brat dodging again?
Qin Yang's tension eased. The Sect Leader was using a low-tier martial art barely mastered at the Zongshi Realm's initial stage—how many more punches could he muster?
What use was raw power without proper technique?
While waiting for an opening, Qin Yang taunted, "I never imagined the mighty Sect Leader's strength amounted to this."
The Sect Leader's face flushed crimson as he unleashed a barrage of punches.
True qi fist shadows filled the air, transforming the training ground into a seismic battlefield of craters and fissures.
Beads of sweat glistened on the Sect Leader's forehead as his breathing grew labored.
The observing elders exchanged alarmed glances. How had they failed to perceive this critical detail?
This Qin Yang—what a terrifying prospect! He'd been preparing for a counterattack all along!
Gongsun Ming, realizing the situation was dire, shouted, "Such traitors deserve death! I beg any senior here to intervene. We're guests after all—when the host loses face, our honor suffers too!"
The assembled elders burned with shame, their contempt for Gongsun Ming palpable. You were the one who claimed we shouldn't meddle in other sects' affairs, yet now you beg us to intervene? How shameless!
Though inwardly scornful, some elders began to waver, their hands drifting toward their weapons.
"Where's that brat Qin Yang? Planning to make me annihilate this sect?"
A thunderous voice boomed across the sky as Jin Wanshan and Elder Wu arrived on their flying artifact, their arrival as delayed as their words.
The crowd trembled. When the elders recognized the newcomers, they exchanged dismayed glances.
"Elder Wu from the Wanshan Chamber of Commerce?"
"He knows Qin Yang?"
"What's their connection? Why would Elder Wu destroy a sect for him?"
Though Elder Wu's power might not match the legendary cultivators, none present were true clan masters. Their combined strength paled in comparison to his...
Moreover, Elder Wu was a fourth-rank alchemist who single-handedly managed the Wanshan Chamber of Commerce's operations in several major cities across the Northern Plains. His status far surpassed that of the others present.
"Ah, what a lively scene!" Elder Wu laughed heartily, bowing to the crowd below. When his gaze fell upon Qin Yang, he froze in shock.
Everyone followed his line of sight, their eyes bulging as if struck by lightning.
The Sect Leader, having exhausted his true qi through repeated use of earth-tier martial arts, was already frail from age. Now, Elder Wu's arrival had further distracted him.
This was the moment Qin Yang had been waiting for! With a flash, he darted behind the Sect Leader and mustered every ounce of strength to rupture the man's heart.
The Sect Leader's eyes grew dimmer. In his final moments, he might have regretted...
Pfft! The Sect Leader coughed up a mouthful of blood and collapsed lifeless.
On the training ground, Thousand Hidden Sect disciples scattered in panic. To them, Qin Yang now embodied the very devil from the abyss.
Qin Yang had truly achieved a rank-defying kill!
"This..." Qin Yang scratched his head, slightly embarrassed. "I don't think this counts as a sneak attack, right?"